Legends

I headed to France, as I’ve done for the past few years to help Phil Anderson on his Tour de France tour. Past experiences told me that I could again expect a great few weeks, fantastic riding, sensational countryside and perhaps the opportunity to meet someone I’d admire....

Our first days were to be spent in Belgium and as we checked into the Hotel Marquette, Phil got chatting with the receptionist, who happened to be the owner for the past 20 years. Phil mentioned that he had actually been here before when he’d dined with his training partner from his racing days, Greg Lemond. The lady casually mentioned that Greg was staying at the hotel, actually in room nine, and that Phil and I were booked into room 10, next door! Phil was stunned. He hadn’t seen his old mate for nearly ten years and here they were not only in the same country, but the same hotel and in adjacent rooms!

Old mates reuniteOld mates reunite

Later in the day we caught up with Greg, and it was great to see the friendship that had been so strong all those years ago was still there. Greg and his family were actually in Belgium for a wedding, with the Tour being a side benefit of the trip. Greg and I were introduced, and after some chit-chat I had the tools out fixing his bike which wasn’t quite right after his trip from the States. The next day the three of us, along with Greg’s son Geoffrey, headed out onto their old training grounds to sample some bergs, cobbles and wind. In my diary entry later that day I noted that ‘Lemond is a hard bastard!’ On quite a few occasions he set a pace that I found difficult to follow and there was a point after around 90 km that I had to ask him to take it a bit easier for a while as I was about to explode. Phil seemed to handle it OK, but for me it was a tough ride, but one I thoroughly enjoyed. Imagine not only going for a ride with a triple Tour de France winner, but copping a caning at the same time, and when we got back to the Marquette he bought us lunch! Fantastic! Knowing Phil as well as I do, it’s no surprise to me that the two of them are such good friends. Both great blokes with awesome natural athletic ability, and as down to earth as you could imagine.